WRITTEN FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A TAXPAYING-PARENT, THIS LETTER DISCUSSES A NUMBER OF FACTORS RELATED TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BETWEEN TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS AND LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION. BY VIRTUE OF SALARY PROVISION THROUGH TAXES AND PARENTAL CONCERN FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, THE PUBLIC HAS A GENUINE STAKE IN TEACHER-SCHOOL BOARD BARGAINING. COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT PROVISIONS AFFECTING QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND TEACHER MORALE INCLUDE SALARY SCALES, INCLUSION AND EXTENT OF SPECIAL SERVICES AND SPECIAL EDUCATION, PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS, TEACHING HOURS, GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, CLASS SIZE, AND TEACHER RELIEF FROM NON-TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES. PROBLEM ASPECTS OF TEACHER ADVANCEMENT AND REMUNERATION BY VARIOUS PROCEDURES ARE COMPARED, INCLUDING SENIORITY, MERIT SYSTEMS, AND UNIFORM SALARY SCHEDULES. THIS ARTICLE IS A REPRINT FROM "PHI DELTA KAPPAN," VOLUME 48, NUMBER 6, FEBRUARY 1967, AND IS AVAILABLE FROM DISTRIBUTION CENTER, NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR RELATIONS, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850, SINGLE COPIES FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES $0.25 EACH. (JK)